Sunday, April 10, 2011

"Myrna Ashlin Watts graduated from High School in Jacksonville, Fl just in time to find herself transported to a bizarre and primal planet corrupted by demon-dragons. And they want her DEAD. Her problem is she has been recruited to kill them, too.

18-year-old Myrna is drawn into the middle of an epic battle between Seraphym and Demons. An average High School student from Florida, struggling with inner demons resulting from a rape two years earlier, she wakes one morning on the Steampunk planet of Dracwald, home of the demon-dragons responsible for her brother’s recent murder as well as many other atrocities in the news. She meets Michael, who becomes her guide and explains that according to prophecy, Myrna must gather the remaining six Vigorios (teen warriors with special talents) then train with the Majikals on an enchanted island.

Reluctantly, and knowing it is her only way to get back home, she agrees to lead, battling dragons and monsters while crossing swamps and mountains, forests and seas. She wrangles with the old inner demons when three very different men join her quest—a seasoned demon/dragon-slayer who irritates but beguiles her, a tender and sweet mentor in whom she trusts completely and a roguishly handsome Scientist who sets her senses aflame. How is she expected to lead the others and keep everyone safe with so much inner turmoil?

Will love and lust, jealousy, greed, deceit and distrust break the delicate tie that binds these teen warriors called The Vigorios? Can a troupe of teens help the Seraphym finally defeat the massive empire of evil dominated for eons by the demon-dragons of Dracwald?" - Goodreads

2. Jelly or jam? Neither. I prefer preserves because I like the bits of actual fruit. My favorite is Orange Marmalade, then Strawberry. But, I also love Guava Jelly or Apple Jelly and Apple Butter. Apple Butter and Peanut Butter make a delicious sandwich, by the way.

3. Bright colors or darker colors? Both. In my decorating, clothing and any time color is a choice, I prefer any shade of red, then bright yellows and dark purple.

4. Travel by train or travel by bus? Train travel is definitely preferable, but even so can be rather tedious. About 15 years ago we took our 4 young children from Jacksonville to Savannah, Ga on the train. It was a LOOOOOOOOONG ride with 4 little ones. But we all remember it, and that’s what counts.

5. Art museum or science museum? Science Museum. When my kids were little we had an annual membership to the Jacksonville Science Museum where they could play, or we’d attend the Planetarium and watch the laser lights played to rock music. They especially enjoyed the Dinosaur exhibit. We went to the Orlando Science Museum one time. They had a travel exhibit about the body that was outstanding.

6. Socks or bare feet? Bare feet for sure. Growing up in South Florida I grew up barefoot and never got out of the habit.

7. Go for a walk or go for a run? Walk. I can’t run anymore. When I was in my twenties my hubby and I would jog at an exercise park near our apartment in Orlando. I developed shin splints. Ever since, if I don’t stretch well, or go too fast before my muscles warm up, I can hardly even walk. It’s very frustrating.

8. Dresses or pants? I’ve always been one for skirts or dresses. I guess I enjoy feeling feminine. I wear pants and jeans when necessary, but I love all of the full-length, flowing skirts available these days and pretty much live in them with embroidered or crochet-enhanced peasant tops. I’m so happy styles from the ‘60’s have become popular again.

9. Dance or sing? Dance. When I was in college, and dating my hubby, we went ‘clubbing’ every Friday night. There was one night we got into a battle between the drummer and us dancing. Everyone left the dance floor at the end of the set, but we kept dancing and the drummer kept going. It lasted at least another 30 minutes before we finally gave up. The whole club cheered us on. It was so much fun. I miss dancing since we moved into a Victorian house with wooden floor and a crawl space. Bounce, bounce, bounce.

10. Celebrate with a small group or celebrate with a large group? I’m definitely a small group gal. I’m quite shy and have trouble connecting with too many people at once. That’s why the Internet is perfect for me. Whenever I’m in a large group, like at a Writing Conference, I always choose the rear corner table and sit in the far corner of the room. The irony is that I was a Middle Grades teacher for 14 years. Talk about being front and center and with the most opinionated age there is.

Thank you, Rebecca! Hopefully, a review will of Odessa will be soon to follow!

"In each of us lie good and bad, light and dark, art and pain, choice and regret, cruelty and sacrifice. We’re each of us our own chiaroscuro, our own bit of illusion fighting to emerge into something solid, something real. We’ve got to forgive ourselves that. I must remember to forgive myself. Because there is a lot of grey to work with. No one can live in the light all the time."— Libba Bray